Jubilation! Photo of the Week, May 12-18, 2024

Photo of the week

Sometimes the best sports photos come after the competition was over.

According to FLORIDA TODAY photojournalist Craig Bailey, there was little drama during Merritt Island High School's regional finals game in the State 4A baseball tournament.

The Mustangs sprinted to an early lead and the game ended in the sixth inning when Merritt Island scored its tenth run to trigger the "mercy rule."

"Having seen the team celebrate a big win earlier in the season by running out onto the field, a repeat performance was anticipated," Bailey said. "Especially since this win meant a trip to Fort Myers and the state semifinal game. But since the game was pretty much over from the third inning on, the only question I had was 'How much they would celebrate?'

"The Mustangs ran out onto the field as the tenth run was scored, ending the game, but the real celebration didn't begin until they were deep in center field," Bailey added. "And they had their backs to the crowd for most of it. Luckily there were a couple of usable images and that's what you see in the gallery."

The Mustangs will face the South Walton High Seahawks Tuesday night in the state semifinals.